Fence post construction

ABSTRACT

A vertically elongated hollow one-piece fence post made from moldable plastic material to render it weatherproof and otherwise appropriate for fence erecting purposes and embodying forwardly converging side walls having rearward longitudinal edges united by a back wall. The adjoined forward edges of the side walls provide a rigid vertical corner. The vertex of the corner and adjacent portions of the side walls are provided with individual selectively usable wire hitching and fastening means for fencing wires, for example, plain wires, barbed wires, hog and sheep and poultry wires. No staples, nails or equivalent fasteners are necessary for installation. Each individual means is characterized by a V-shaped main slot embodying a wire inserting crotch portion which opens through the accessible portion of the vertex and downwardly inclined wire piloting branches having rearward terminal ends. The extreme ends of the branches are communicatively joined to median portions of vertically disposed wire seating and retaining slots which are auxiliary but complemental to the main V-shaped slot.

O Umted States Patent 1191 [111 3,776,522

Bartlett 1 1 Dec. 4, 1973 FENCE POST CONSTRUCTION Primary ExaminerDennis L. Taylor [76] Inventor: William w. Bat-um, RD. 2, Jawbm" New Albany Twp., Pa. 18833 [22] Filed: May 15, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 253,554 A vertically elongated hollow one-piece fence post made from moldable plastic material to render it weatherproof and otherwise appropriate for fence [52] US. Cl 256/47, 256/19, 256/50 erecting purposes and embodying forwardly comer? l' s ing side walls having rearward longitudinal edges c 8 6 united by a back wall. The adjoined forward edges of the side walls provide a rigid vertical comer. The vertex of the comer and adjacent portions of the side [56] References Cited walls are provided with individual selectively usable UNITED STATES PATENTS wire hitching and fastening means for fencing wires, 319,277 6/1885 L/esher 256/53 X for example, plain wires, barbed wires, hog and sheep 759,488 1904 Van F 256/50 and poultry wires. No staples, nails or equivalent fas- 887,498 5/ 1908 256/50 teners are necessary for installation. Each individual 32 3 subeck means is characterized by a V-shaped main slot em- 8 ouilg I 8 bodying a wire inserting crotch portion which opens 1,179,862 4/1916 Parrish 256/48 h h h fth dd 1,186,662 6 1916 Kirkwood 256 50 t mug P" evenexa} 1,495,379 5 1924 Bumbaugh.... 256/53 Wardly mclmed Wlre Pllotmg branches havmg rear- 2,861,122 11/1958 Flower 256/48 x ward terminal ends- The extreme ends of the branches FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Canada 256/53 are communicatively joined to median portions of vertically disposed wire seating and retaining slots which are auxiliary but complemental to the main V-shaped slot.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUEB 41m /PLAIN WIRE BARBED WIRE .JJ

. 1 FENCE POST CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to a fence post for farm fencing wires herein designated as plain wires, barbed wires, electric wires, hog and sheep wires and poultry wires and which is unique in that no staples, nails or similar independent fasteners are required for positioning and retaining the fencing wires.

It may well be pointed out at the outset of the description that the above-named farm fencing wires represent the types best known to members of the public and which lend themselves to acceptable and reliable use on the herein disclosed post. However, other types of fencing wire not specifically mentioned can be adapted for use on the improved post by using a simple U-shaped or equivalent wire tie such as is capable of being attached to the fencing wire merely by bending the ends of the tie wire with the aid of a pair of pliers.

For background purposes it may be pointed out that it is not broadly new to provide the forward vertical edge portion of a fence post with keeper seats and slot means as shown for example in the concrete fence post ofCarl W. Bailey, US. Pat. No. 2,578,165. Another example of a fence post which is characterized by built-in slot and keeper means is shown in a patent to William R. Kirkwood, entitled Reinforced Concrete Fence Post and disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,186,662. For further background purposes but considered to be of less interest is the B. F. Seymour fence post disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,259,051. None of these several patents is deemed to be pertinent to the subject matter of the instant invention but are deemed to be indicative, generally stated, of the art to which the invention relates.

Briefly the concept herein revealed has to do with a one-piece farm fencing multipurpose post for use in supporting, retaining and securely anchoring virtually all popularly used fencing wires. Although novelty may reside in a combination of one or more fencing wires with a supporting post, the unique post shown best serves the purposes for which it has been devised. The post, with or without the fencing wire, is of the essence in that it is hollow and embodies united walls defining a vertically elongated corner. This comer is provided with self-contained slot means. Each slot means embodies at least one main insert slot having an entrance and piloting portion which opens accessibly through the vertex or corner of the post. The slot means also includes complemental auxiliary slot portions which are embodied in the respective walls, that is the forwardly converging walls and has communicating and wire hitching means connecting with the terminal portions of the main slot and functioning to receive, seat and retain the wire which is adapted to be positioned and held therein.

It is an object of the invention to structurally, functionally and mother ways improve upon prior art fencing posts and, in so doing, to provide a post which will be maintenance free, non-corrodible, termite proof and weatherproof and which will function in a manner in achieve the results desired for a number of years. Experimental posts have shown that the post used can be successfully extruded or molded out of a mixture of fiber glass andpolyester resin or other equivalent resins such as haveproved out to be satisfactory in the construction of fencing wire support posts. Then, too, the post is light in weight, is compact and convenientfor packing, shipping and handling and is such in capability that it can be installed and used by a single man.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a fence post construction constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and showing all of the essential details of the post and, in addition, how several different types of fencing wires can be applied, hitched and retentively supported.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section taken approximately on the plane of the irregular section line 2--2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the indicating arrows.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken on the central section line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the same post and how it is susceptible of use as an end post.

By way of introduction it may be pointed out that the disclosed post will be made by extrusion of extrastrength polyester resins and fiber glass. The post is preferably, but not necessarily, hollow and is also preferably triangular in shape and, under the circumstances, has been found to be even stronger and sturdier than round, square, hexagonal or slab-type posts. A post constructed as herein shown and described ensures required supportive results for virtually all kinds of fencing wire. It is light in weight and weighs approximately 3 pounds and will last indefinitely, is easy to install with no time and labor consuming and expensive maintenance requirements to deal with.

The improved post is denoted by the numeral 6 and, as stated, is preferably triangular in cross section and embodies a pair of converging side walls 8 whose coacting converging edges are joined to provide a vertically elongated ridge or vertex 10. The solid rearward wall which unites the side walls is denoted at 12. The lower end portion 14 of the post which is driven into the ground when in use as shown in FIG. 1 is denoted by the numeral 14 and is provided with a multiplicity of suitably arranged and proportionate apertures or holes 16 which allow for proper drainage and permit contraction and expansion during periods of thawing. That portion of the post above ground level is provided with a multiplicity of individual fencing wire holders each of which is referred to herein as slot means, said means being designated, generally stated, by the numeral 18. Each slot means is the same in construction and is incorporated in the ridge or corner portion 10. In actual practice the slot means are precisely two inches apart at the vertex. The tolerance holding slots are precisely one-half inch apart. This multiplicity of slot means serves to accommodate any one or all of the aforementioned fencing wires such as, for example, plain wire, denoted at 20 in FIG. 1, barbed wire 22 or the uppermost strand 24 of hog and sheep wire fencing, denoted generally at 26.

Each slot means is of the same construction and embodies at least one main insert slot and complemental auxiliary slots or slot portions which are embodied in the respective walls 8 and communicate with the coacting adjacent terminal end portions of the main slot.

The main slot is substantially V-shaped and as perhaps best shown in FIG. 4 it has a crotch portion 28 which bridges and opens through the vertex 10. The rearwardly directed duplicate branches are denoted at 30 and are directed diagonally downward and are formed in the coacting portions of the side walls 8 whereby to provide not only the insert or entrance opening but also the guiding and piloting feature. The terminal end portions of the respective branches 30 are communicatively joined to the median portions of the respective vertically elongated and vertically extending auxiliary slots each comprising a lower half portion 32 and an upper half portion 34. Although these coacting main and auxiliary slots allow for certain tolerance conditions, they are primarily usable as wire inserting, guiding and seating and retaining means whether the seated wire is in the lower half portion as conveniently designated at 36 (FIG. 3) or seated in the upper half portion as at 38 in the same view.

As previously suggested the thus slotted and constructed post with the 45 insert slots 28 and 30 and the vertical 90 slots has been successfully made by extrusion of extra strength polyester resins and fiber glass. The very fact that the post is hollow and triangular in shape ensures the rigidity, strength and serviceability desired. Experience has shown that the post lends itself to acceptable use in all kinds of weather, is resistant to wear and deterioration and is easy to install and use.

With reference again to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the wires 20, 22 and 24 are inserted through the insert or entrance slots and are forced down into the auxiliary keeper or seating slots. By using a pair of pliers and bending the portions 40 of the wires retaining abutments are thus produced with the result that the bent and seated wire is securely fastened in place. Once the wire enters the seating slots, either the upper or lower half portions, and is kinked or bent downward, it stays put. The inherent pressure alone virtually automatically locks the attached wire in place. Also when the wire is placed as shown and described no amount of ji ggling, wind, or even unnecessary roughness by hand of man will cause the locked wire to release itself and slip out of the slot means.

The construction of the overall post is clear from the views of the drawing. Also, the manner of using and attaching several types of wires is shown. Then, too, FIG. 4 shows how one may bend and attach the portions 42, 43, 44 and 45 on an end post.

Inasmuch as the essence of the invention has to do with the post and its self-contained features, a more detailed description of the various fencing wires and mode of attachment is deemed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in supporting and retaining fencing wires such as for example, plain wire, barbed wire, electric wire, hog and sheep wire, poultry wire, and the like comprising, a one-piece farm fencing multipurpose post, said post being hollow and embodying united walls defining a rigid vertically elongated comer, said comer and walls having self-contained slot means, said slot means embodying at least one main insert slot having an entrance and piloting portion opening accessibly through said corner, and complemental auxiliary slots embodied in the respective walls and communicating with coacting terminal portions of said main slot and functioning to receive, seat and retain the wire which is adapted to be positioned and held therein, said main slot being substantially V-shaped and the diverging branch portions thereof being disposed at like 45 angles, and said auxiliary slots being vertically elongated, there being one vertical slot in one wall which is opposed to and lined up with the companion vertical slot in the wall opposite said one wall.

2. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said post is triangular in cross-section and is made of moldable weatherproof plastic material, the aforementioned walls converging toward the front of said post and defining said vertically elongated comer, said main slot having a median portion opening through said comer.

3. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said slot means is duplicated and ranges from the top of said comer to a lower end portion, each slot means embodying duplicate main and auxiliary slots capable of selective use depending on the type of fencing wire which is to be attached and retained for supported and fencing use on said post.

4. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein the rearward terminal ends of said diverging branch portions are communicatively joined with coacting median portions of the respectively cooperable auxiliary vertical slots in a manner that each vertical slot has a lower half-portion and an upper half-portion, and said half-portions serving to accommodatingly adapt themselves to the ever varying conditions of the wire which is seated and lodged for retention, whereby to thus cope with the situation at hand whatever it may be.

5. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein the lower end portion of said post is provided with a multiplicity of perforations which constitute drainage holes and permit expansion and contraction during periods of freezing and thawing, for example.

6. The post defined in claim 4, and, in combination, at least one length of wire having portions thereof seated and held against displacement in either the upper or lower half-portions of said vertical auxiliary slots, as the case may be.

7. The post defined in claim 4, and, in combination, a strand of fencing wire having portions captively nested in coacting portions of said auxiliary vertical slots and also having depending laterally bent portions exteriorly located but proximal to the exterior surfaces of the respective walls of said post and providing stop shoulders capable of limiting lengthwise slippage of said strand of wire.

8. A fence post comprising an elongated member having peripheral wall surfaces defining a vertically elongated corner of rigid construction, and slot means in said comer for receiving and retaining a wire or the like, said slot means including a main slot extending inwardly and downwardly from the corner, and a vertical auxiliary slot communicating with the inner end of the main slot and with the exterior of the peripheral surfaces defining the corner thereby enabling a wire to be laterally inserted into the main slot and then moved 9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said post includes a plurality of identical slot means in substantially equally spaced relation along the vertical length of the comer, the vertical spacing of the slot means being dimensioned so that the remote ends of adjacent vertical auxiliary slots receive adjacent wires of mesh wire fencing by deforming one of the mesh wires when connecting the fencing to the post. 

1. For use in supporting and retaining fencing wires such as for example, plain wirE, barbed wire, electric wire, hog and sheep wire, poultry wire, and the like comprising, a one-piece farm fencing multipurpose post, said post being hollow and embodying united walls defining a rigid vertically elongated corner, said corner and walls having self-contained slot means, said slot means embodying at least one main insert slot having an entrance and piloting portion opening accessibly through said corner, and complemental auxiliary slots embodied in the respective walls and communicating with coacting terminal portions of said main slot and functioning to receive, seat and retain the wire which is adapted to be positioned and held therein, said main slot being substantially V-shaped and the diverging branch portions thereof being disposed at like 45* angles, and said auxiliary slots being vertically elongated, there being one vertical slot in one wall which is opposed to and lined up with the companion vertical slot in the wall opposite said one wall.
 2. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said post is triangular in cross-section and is made of moldable weatherproof plastic material, the aforementioned walls converging toward the front of said post and defining said vertically elongated corner, said main slot having a median portion opening through said corner.
 3. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said slot means is duplicated and ranges from the top of said corner to a lower end portion, each slot means embodying duplicate main and auxiliary slots capable of selective use depending on the type of fencing wire which is to be attached and retained for supported and fencing use on said post.
 4. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein the rearward terminal ends of said diverging branch portions are communicatively joined with coacting median portions of the respectively cooperable auxiliary vertical slots in a manner that each vertical slot has a lower half-portion and an upper half-portion, and said half-portions serving to accommodatingly adapt themselves to the ever varying conditions of the wire which is seated and lodged for retention, whereby to thus cope with the situation at hand whatever it may be.
 5. The post defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein the lower end portion of said post is provided with a multiplicity of perforations which constitute drainage holes and permit expansion and contraction during periods of freezing and thawing, for example.
 6. The post defined in claim 4, and, in combination, at least one length of wire having portions thereof seated and held against displacement in either the upper or lower half-portions of said vertical auxiliary slots, as the case may be.
 7. The post defined in claim 4, and, in combination, a strand of fencing wire having portions captively nested in coacting portions of said auxiliary vertical slots and also having depending laterally bent portions exteriorly located but proximal to the exterior surfaces of the respective walls of said post and providing stop shoulders capable of limiting lengthwise slippage of said strand of wire.
 8. A fence post comprising an elongated member having peripheral wall surfaces defining a vertically elongated corner of rigid construction, and slot means in said corner for receiving and retaining a wire or the like, said slot means including a main slot extending inwardly and downwardly from the corner, and a vertical auxiliary slot communicating with the inner end of the main slot and with the exterior of the peripheral surfaces defining the corner thereby enabling a wire to be laterally inserted into the main slot and then moved downwardly and inwardly into the auxiliary slot while in substantially perpendicular relation to the post, said vertical auxiliary slot including an upper portion extending above the inner end of the main slot and a lower portion extending below the inner end of the main slot, the portions of the auxiliary extending above and below the inner end of The main slot are substantially vertical to require vertical movement of the wire to re-enter the main slot.
 9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said post includes a plurality of identical slot means in substantially equally spaced relation along the vertical length of the corner, the vertical spacing of the slot means being dimensioned so that the remote ends of adjacent vertical auxiliary slots receive adjacent wires of mesh wire fencing by deforming one of the mesh wires when connecting the fencing to the post. 